Full Throttle

Sunrise on the Morning of Helio's 4th!, Oil, 40x80"

For the month of May, the Harrison Gallery is exhibiting Justin Vining’s oil and gouache paintings. 

May in Indianapolis means that people across the city will be gearing up for the racing season and getting excited about the Indianapolis 500. Vining’s newest body of work, Full Throttle, celebrates Vining’s love of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the everyday beauty that Indianapolis has to offer.

Vining, who primarily paints en plein air, makes a new painting every single day. He holds a deep sense of pride in the places where he lives and works. His paintings become a reflection of his daily life, which is often spent in his Irvington neighborhood, outside his daughter’s daycare, or downtown places that make Indianapolis iconic. 

Newgarden Wins!, Oil, 48x60”

Seven years ago, Vining brought his commitment to his painting practice and his love for Indy to the IMS and decided to spend every day during the month of May painting at the racetrack. “I wasn’t an Indy car fan before I painted there,” says Vining. “But long story short, it didn’t take long for me to not just like it but love it.” This is the eighth year that Vining has been painting the IMS. Though most of the work in Full Throttle was made in the studio, Vining worked from photographs of his favorite moments from past years’ race days.

For Vining, painting at the IMS is not just about racing and the technical parts of enjoying the sport; it’s about a communal experience. “There’s so much tradition out there– not just sporting tradition or racing, but family tradition. So many families have sat in the same seats year after year or always come out for turn one or practice day. Some of the yellow shirts (security guards) have worked the same area for decades, and I’ve gotten to know them. Something I've learned at IMS is how important memory and nostalgia are. It helps define the purpose and meaning of life and I’ve learned and witnessed a lot of this at the racetrack.”

106th - 6:22 am, Oil, 48x60"

The show can be viewed anytime in the Harrison Gallery during the month of May during Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can additionally be viewed and purchased on our online gallery through June.